User interface for a radio telephone

ABSTRACT

A radiophone comprises a user interface and a controller unit connected to the user interface. The user interface i.e. comprises a display and a keypad having at least one operation key whose function is controlled by the controller nut and is displayed in a predetermined area of the display. The function of said at last one operation key is displayed in a predetermined area of the display. The radiophone is capable of assuming a plurality of states in which a group of predetermined actions associated with the state concerned may be performed by said at least one operation key. The controller unit displays one of said group of actions as a default function in the predetermined area of display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a radiophone having a user interface comprising adisplay and a keypad including at least one operation key whose functionis controlled by a controller unit and is displayed in a predeterminedarea of said display.

The term “radiophone” covers a portable or mobile unit which, with atransmitter/receiver, is capable of transmitting signals with speech ordata via electromagnetic waves/radio waves to another unit comprising atransmitter/receiver.

It is required by the users that the size of radiophones, e.g. in theform of portable telephones, be minimized, since this will make themeasier to carry and to handle. This necessarily means that the area onthe front of the telephone will be reduced, and since it is the frontwhich forms the basis for the major part of the Man-Machine-Interface(MMI), this will be reduced correspondingly. The user interfacecomprises a keypad for entering instructions, a display for displayinginformation, and a microphone as well as an earpiece for picking up andemitting sound signals.

The last five to ten years have seen a tremendous development in suchtelephones, where more and more features have become accessible in thetelephones—without a corresponding change in the interface. The extentto which these features is used, varies much from user to user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a radiophonecomprising a user interface and a control unit connected to the userinterface, said user interface comprising a display and a keypad havingat least one operation key whose function is controlled by thecontroller unit and is displayed in a predetermined part of saiddisplay, said radiophone being capable of assuming a plurality of statesin which a group of predetermined actions associated with the stateconcerned may be performed by means of said at least one operation key,said controller unit displaying an action from said group of actuibs asa default function. The operation key or the soft key is herebypresented as default to perform an active action e.g. with the datawhich have been fetched from the memory of the telephone or have beeninput to the main area of the display. As default, this active actionmay be to make a call, while alternative functions may then be to save atelephone number in the phonebook, to edit it, to erase it, etc.

The invention provides a user interface for a radiophone whichfacilitates the normal operation, without this being at the expense ofthe amount of features.

Further, the radiophone may advantageously be provided with a scroll keyby means of which the user may selectively jump to the preceding orsucceeding item at the location concerned in the menu loop. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the controller unit alsoredefines the function of the scroll key from scrolling between severalitems in a menu to switching from the default function to the group offunctions to which the default function belongs. It is noted that, inthe preferred embodiment, the scroll key toggles between the defaultfunction and the group of functions (options), but switches betweenitems in the function group once this has been selected by means of theoperation key. The default function is included here at the same levelas the other functions in the group.

So far, the possible functions have been treated in a co-ordinatedmanner to a great extent, but the provision of a default option, whichcovers the major part of the activities which the user normallyperforms, will make it easier for the users to perform standard actions,without making the special actions more difficult to perform, sincethese are achieved via the group of possible functions. This ensuresthat when data are input to the main area of the display, an action maybe performed on these data merely by a single manipulation of theoperation key, which is a multi-function key. In the past, this wasfeasible only through the use of mono-function keys, such as “on-hook”and “off-hook”.

This means e.g. that the operation key, which is frequently referred toas a soft key since its function is not fixed, but may vary according tothe state concerned, enables a call to be established by a singledepression of the operation key when a telephone number is present inthe display.

In addition to redefining the functions of the operation key and thescroll key in the preferred embodiment, the controller unit may alsoadvantageously redefine the function of the erase key, so that the erasekey, during a telephone call and when detecting an incoming call,changes its function from erasing entered characters to interrupting theongoing call or to rejecting the incoming call or to diverting it to avoice mail box.

If the user decides to make a call by means of the operation key, thephone changes its state to a “call established” state when the call hasbeen established, and then the new default function of the operation keywill be to terminate the call. This means that another activation of theoperation key will terminate the call. If a conference call is to beestablished, this is done by means of the scroll key via the group ofpossible functions associated with the state concerned.

It should be noted that said at least one operation key may comprise twoor more keys whose default function changes when the state changes.Further, nothing prevents said at least one operation key from beingintegrated with said predetermined area(s) of the display as keys in atouch-sensitive display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained more fully below in connection with apreferred embodiment and with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a portable telephone having auser interface in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows switching between the states of the telephone;

FIG. 3 schematically shows the hardware parts of a portable telephonewhich are essential to the understanding of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a sequence of display images in connection with callestablishment;

FIG. 5 shows another sequence of display images in connection with callestablishment;

FIG. 6 shows a sequence of display images in connection with callanswer;

FIG. 7 shows a sequence of display images in connection with callrejection;

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating the decision processes in thecontroller unit in a telephone in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a sequence of display images in connection with callestablishment and access to the phonebook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a radiophone according to theinvention, and it will be seen that the telephone, which is generallydesigned by 1, comprises a user interface having a keypad 2, a display3, an on/off button 4, an earpiece 5, and a microphone 6. The keypad 2has a first group 7 of keys in the form of alpha-numerical keys, bymeans of which the user can enter a telephone number, write a textmessage (SMS), write a name (associated with the telephone number), etc.The user uses the first group of keys primarily for entering data in thetelephone (entry events).

The keypad 2 additionally comprises a second group of keys which, in thepreferred embodiment, comprises precisely one operation key 8 or softkey whose function depends on the present state of the telephone. Thedefault function or the present function of the operation key 8 isdisplayed in a predetermined area 21 of the display 3. In the preferredembodiment, the second group of keys additionally comprises a scroll key9 by means of which the user can jump selectively from one item to thepreceding or the succeeding item in the menu loop of the telephone,while he gets access to a submenu loop under the item concerned in themain menu loop by activation of the operation key. The clear key 10 maybe used e.g. for erasing the digit or letter entered last by briefdepression, while depression of a longer duration will erase the entirenumber or word. Like the operation key 8, the scroll key 9 and the clearkey 10 may advantageously be redefined in some states, which appearsfrom the following.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the most important parts of a preferredembodiment of a portable telephone, said parts being essential to theunderstanding of the invention. The preferred embodiment of thetelephone of the invention is adapted for use in connection with the GSMnetwork, but, of course, the invention may also be applied in connectionwith other telephone networks, such as cellular networks and variousforms of cordless telephone systems. The microphone 6 records the user'sspeech, and the analog signals formed thereby are A/D converted in anA/D converter 7 before the speech is encoded in an audio codec unit 9.The encoded speech signal is transferred to a physical layer processor10, which i.e. supports the GSM terminal software. The processor 10 alsoforms the interface to the peripheral units 15 of the apparatus,including the display 3 and the keypad 2 (as well as SIM, data, powersupply, RAM, ROM, etc.). The processor 10 communicates with the RF part14 via a baseband converter 12 and a channel equalizer 13. The audiocodec unit 9 speech-decodes the signal, which is transferred from theprocessor 10 to the earpiece 5 via a D/A converter 8. The units 7-13 areusually integrated in a chip set, an example of such a commerciallyavailable chip set being AD20msp410 GSM from Analog Devices withassociated protocol software from The Technology Partnership (TTP).

The processor 10, which serves as the controller unit in a manner knownper se in the preferred embodiment, is connected to the user interface.Thus, it is the processor which monitors the activity in the telephoneand controls the display 3, 21 in response thereto. Therefore, it is theprocessor 10 which detects the occurrence of a state change event andchanges the state of the telephone and thus the display text. A statechange event may be caused by the user when he activates the keypad,which is called an entry event, and also by the network connection ofthe telephone or by another event beyond the user's control, which iscalled a non user event. Non user events comprise status change duringcall set-up, change in battery voltage, change in antenna conditions,message on reception of SMS, etc.

The invention is based on the idea that the telephone can assume aplurality of predetermined states 40.1-40.n, which is illustrated inFIG. 2. A plurality of actions (options 41.1-41.n) may be performed inthese states 40.1-40.n. The display image at arrival to state 40.1 maybe a telephone number or the name of a person contained in the phonebookof the telephone, which is indicated by “state”. “State” might alsocover “incoming calls”, “E-mail received”, “SMS received”, etc. If thedisplay contains a telephone number, the default function 42.1-42.nmight be “call”. The scroll key 8 allows switching from the defaultfunction to the group of possible functions, to which the defaultfunction belongs. It is noted that, in the preferred embodiment, thescroll key 8 toggles between the default function and the group ofpossible functions (options), but switches between items in the group ofpossible functions, once this group has been selected by means of theoperation key. The state is maintained during toggling and scrollingthrough the options.

As will be seen from FIG. 2, a state change event will result in achange from one state to another. The new state depends on the old stateand the nature of the state change event. During an established call(“call established” state), the default function of the operation key 8will according to the preferred embodiment be “end”. If a new incomingcall “is waiting”, the user may use the scroll key 9 to produce theoption list including items such as “end”, “join”, “answer” and “swap”without interrupting the call.

Each state 40.1-40.n is associated with a predefined group of functions,actions or options 41.1-41.n, which are possible precisely for thatstate. Establishment of conference calls, e.g., can be performed onlywhen a call has already been established. A preferred function servingas the default function 42.1-42.n is designated in each of these groups.This designation may be performed by the programmer during programming,by the user through his redefinition of the default function, or by thetelephone itself in that it records the frequency of the use of theindividual functions and appoints the most frequently used one in eachgroup as the default function—optionally with the user's acceptance.

When the telephone changes its state, the operation key can perform thedefault function if it is activated, and the user may toggle between thedefault function and the whole group of options by means of the scrollkey. If the group of options is selected with the operation key, theuser will be able to scroll through the group of options with the scrollkey and to select the desired (designated) function with the operationkey.

When a function is selected with the operation key, the processor 10runs the associated program sequence to execute the function.

FIG. 4 shows the display text with simultaneous indication of the keysof the keypad which have been activated. The display 3 has a displayimage 20 (“idle mode” state) which shows the function of the soft key 8as a highlighted bar in a predetermined area (soft key display) 21 ofthe display. The function of the soft key 8 in the idle mode is accessto the main menu loop of the telephone. The upper part of the display 20shows an identification of the network operator concerned (hereTDK-MOBIL). The display may additionally contain an indicator of theantenna signal strength and a battery voltage indicator. These are notshown in the figures, as they have no importance to the description ofthe default function.

When the user enters the FIG. 1 by means of the alpha-numerical keys 7,the processor 10 records this, and the telephone then changes to a“number handling state”. The default function is call establishmenthere, and “call” is therefore displayed in the soft key display 21. Whenthe telephone changes from the idle mode, the operator identificationdisappears, while the entered digit is displayed in the main area 23 ofthe display image 21.

When several digits are entered, these are displayed as they are enteredafter the digit entered first. When the soft key 8 is activated, it isattempted to establish a call, which causes the telephone to change to a“call established state” under the control of the processor 10, and thenew function “end” of the operation key 8 is now displayed in the softkey display 21. It is shown at the same time in the display that it isattempted to establish a call, which is done by the indication “calling. . . ”. The number to which the connection is to be established isstill displayed in the main area 23 of the display.

When the call has been established, this is shown by the indication“connected” at the top of the display and by an indication of thetelephone by means of which the call has been established. As will beseen from the branch, this identification may be the telephone number inthe field 23 or a name code 23 a, if the processor recognizes the numberin its associated phonebook. The default function of the soft key 8 willstill be “end”, which is shown in the soft key display 21. If the softkey 8 is activated once more, the call will be interrupted, and thetelephone will return to the “idle mode state” with the idle modedisplay image 20.

FIG. 5 shows a corresponding scenario; here, the user decides to use thescroll key 9 from the idle mode display image 20 to gain access to thephonebook of the telephone under the main menu loop, which causes thetelephone number and the name code of the first storage location in thephonebook to be displayed in the display. The telephone changes to the“number handling state”, and the new default function “call” of theoperation key 8 is now displayed in the soft key display 21. Bycontinued use of the scroll key 9 the user will be able to scrollthrough the phonebook until he finds the number he wants. As theoperation key 8 maintains its “call” function as the default function,the call can still be established by depression of the operation key 8.Then, the call can be established and terminated, as explained inconnection with FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows how an incoming call is displayed. When the telephonerecords an incoming call, the processor 10 detects this as a non userevent, and the telephone changes from the “idle mode state” to an“incoming call state”, so that the display image 20 is replaced by a newdisplay image 24. The calling telephone is identified by telephonenumber (right branch) or name code (left branch), if it is recognisedfrom the phonebook of the telephone. In some cases the calling telephonecannot be identified, and the identification field will therefore beempty (not shown). The operation key 8 will simultaneously assume a newdefault function under the control of the processor 10, and the newdefault function will answer the call (“answer”) in the preferredembodiment. When the call has been established, the telephone changes tothe “call established state”, and the display displays the name code ofthe calling telephone or merely indicates that a call takes place if thename code is not recognized. In this state, the default function of theoperation key 8 is “end”, and it continues to be displayed in the softkey display 21. If the operation key 8 is activated, the call will beinterrupted, and the telephone will return to the “idle mode state” withthe idle mode display image 20.

FIG. 7 correspondingly shows how the display image 20, 24 changes whenan incoming call is detected and the telephone changes to the “incomingcall state” with the default function “answer”. If the user does notwant to answer the call, he can reject the call by depressing the c keyor divert the call to his voice mail, if he has such a feature. Thetelephone then returns to the “idle mode state” with the idle modedisplay image 20.

FIG. 9 shows how it is possible to change from the “idle mode state”with the display image 20 (idle mode display) to a main menu byactivating the operation key 8. Here, access to the phonebook ispresented as default. If the user selects this, he may choose betweenthe individual submenu items in the phonebook via the display image 26.If, in the “idle mode state”, the user had instead begun to enter atelephone number, the telephone would have changed to a “number handlingstate” with a display image 27 with “call” as the default function. Theuser may switch to possible functions in this state (display image 28)by means of the scroll key 9, and these functions comprise the submenuitems (display image 26) of the phonebook. If, instead, the user hadselected the default function in the “number handling state”, thetelephone would have started establishment of a call (display image 29).

When the telephone is in idle mode, it communicates with a fixed stationat regular intervals via paging messages to maintain the connection, andit monitors its peripheral units in the form of battery, keypad, etc. Itis the microprocessor 10 which controls these activities, and when itdetects an event, it checks whether the telephone is to change itsstate, e.g. from the “idle mode state” to the “incoming call state”.FIG. 8 illustrates this process, where the processor in stage 31monitors and detects occurring events. If a detected event is not astate change event, the processor returns to the search stage andsearches for a new event. If the processor identifies the event as astate change event in the decision stage 32, the processor identifiesthe new state in stage 33, which takes place by means of a state tree,and replaces the old display text by a new default function indicationof the new text, which takes place in stage 34.

Although it is shown in the preferred embodiment that the functions ofthe telephone might very well be controlled by a single operation key,it may be found expedient in some cases to use two or more operationkeys in the second group of keys, optionally integrated in atouch-sensitive display.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a personskilled in the art that various modifications may be made within thescope of the invention.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature orcombination of features disclosed therein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or notit relates to the claimed invention or mitigates any or all of theproblems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby givesnotice that new claims may be formulated to such features duringprosecution of this application or of any such further applicationderived therefrom.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radiotelephone having a controller unitcontrolling a user interface, said user interface comprising: a display;one operation key whose function is controlled by the controller unit;said display having an area solely dedicated for displaying the presentfunction performed when pressing said one operation key; said radiophonebeing capable of assuming a plurality of states; groups of predeterminedactions that are adapted to be performed by pressing said operation keybeing defined by the controller unit in said plurality of states; saidcontroller unit dedicating an action from said group of actions as adefault function for the operation key in dependence on the stateassumed by the radio telephone; a scroll key allowing the user to scrollbetween actions included in said group of actions available for saidoperation key; whereby the action presently dedicated to the operationkey and being displayed in said dedicated area in the display ischanged.
 2. A radiophone having a controller unit controlling a userinterface, said user interface comprising: a display; a single operationkey whose function is controlled by the controller unit providing accessto a menu loop as well as to a phonenumber database included in saidradiophone; said display having an area solely dedicated for displayingthe present function performed when pressing said single operation key;said radiophone being capable of assuming a plurality of states; groupsof predetermined actions that are adapted to be performed by pressingsaid operation key being defined by said controller unit in saidplurality of states; said controller unit dedicating an action from saidgroup of actions as a default function for the operation key independence on the state assumed by said radio telephone; a scroll keyallowing the user to scroll between actions included in said group ofactions available for said operation key; whereby the action presentlydedicated to said operation key and being displayed in said dedicatedarea in said display is changed.
 3. A radiophone according to claim 2,wherein said default function for said single operation key in idle modeprovides access to said menu loop.
 4. A radiophone having a controllerunit controlling a user interface, said user interface comprising: adisplay; a single operation key whose function is controlled by saidcontroller unit and provides access to establishing and terminatingcalls; said display having an area solely dedicated for displaying thepresent function performed when pressing said one operation key; saidradiophone being capable of assuming a plurality of states; groups ofpredetermined actions that are adapted to be performed by pressing saidoperation key being defined by said controller unit in said plurality ofstates; said controller unit dedicating an action from said group ofactions as a default function for said operation key in dependence onthe state assumed by said radio telephone; a scroll key allowing theuser to scroll between actions includes in said group of actionsavailable for said operation key; whereby the action presently-dedicatedto said operation key and being displayed in said dedicated area in saiddisplay is changed.
 5. A radiophone according to claim 4, wherein saiddefault function for said single operation key is in idle mode when saiduser has entered a number by means of alphanumeric keys is to establisha call.
 6. A radiophone according to claim 4, wherein said defaultfunction is for said single operation key.
 7. A radiophone according toclaim 5, wherein said default function is for said single operation key.8. A radiophone according to claim 4, wherein said default function isfor said single operation key when an incoming call has been detectedand is answering the call.